Dubai – MENA Herald: A delegation from Dubai Wholesale City (DWSC) met with senior officials at the Dubai Customs department to discuss cooperation in the delivery of smart and innovative solutions to all traders and visitors to DWSC.

The visit is in line with a series of similar meetings organized by DWSC with partners and stakeholders from the public and private sector within and outside the UAE to boost Dubai’s credentials as a preferred wholesale hub of choice and identify key challenges and opportunities.

His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs and senior officials of the department welcomed the DWSC delegation headed by Abdullah Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Wholesale City. The meeting addressed the growing role of Dubai Wholesale City as an international intermediary in wholesale trade and in the global import chain.

Abdullah Belhoul offered the Dubai Customs officials a detailed overview of the diverse components of Dubai Wholesale City including trading parks, exhibition facilities, and infrastructure. He also outlined the vision of DWSC in shaping an enabling wholesale trading ecosystem that would provide facilities for trade, transport, storage and other services under one roof to ensure high operational efficiency, flexibility and comprehensive services, as well as speed and ease of doing business.

The two sides discussed the significant role of customs services in facilitating trade and their impact on the amenities that DWSC is aiming to provide to local and international importers, exporters and re-exporters. Areas of potential cooperation and coordination that can facilitate the work of traders – particularly, smart services and electronic services that ensure speed and ease in clearing, forwarding and completion of the transactions were also highlighted.

His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs said: “Dubai Customs is working to provide support to all projects that enhance UAE’s leading position as an attractive global business destination. Towards this priority, we are pleased to step-up synergies with Dubai Wholesale City. This exploratory visit has helped us gain a better understanding of the customs requirements at the new hub. We will provide DWSC the holistic support it needs for the success of its ambitious vision that will contribute to boosting Dubai’s ranking as an international wholesale hub of choice.”

The two sides also discussed ways of coordination and joint action to provide varied services as per DWSC’s mandate and objectives. A joint working group will be established to study the needs and challenges of DWSC – especially with regard to legislation – and to agree on best-in-class practices that must be implemented to facilitate business in line with Dubai’s regulatory framework. A Dubai Customs division within DWSC will ensure the implementation of all relevant procedures.

Abdullah Belhoul, CEO, Dubai Wholesale City said: “Our strategy for the development of Dubai Wholesale City is focused on meeting the needs of local and global traders. Through building such synergies from an early stage, we are keen to reiterate our commitment to coordinating with diverse project stakeholders including concerned legislative and executive bodies as well as local and international trading bodies in shaping an enabling wholesale trading hub that achieves its wider objectives.”

He added: “We recognize and appreciate the vital role that Dubai Customs has continually played in supporting the emirate’s growth as an international trading hub. We look forward to working with them to offer our customers smart and distinct customs services that are tailored to meet the needs of this important sector.”

Set to span over 550 million sq feet, with an expected development cost of AED30 billion over 10 years, Dubai Wholesale City aims to increase the UAE’s share of the global wholesale trading sector. Dubai Wholesale City also aims to meet all the needs of the wholesale trade sector at the local and international levels in accordance with a modern and innovative vision that envisages integrated trading parks developed specifically for wholesale trade in addition to international trade exhibition facilities, country pavilions and an e-commerce platform.